You know it's good when a national newspaper comes knockin' for some smokin' BBQ at a mom and pop shop.This family-run resto has been serving up southern BBQ for more than 20 years. In addition to winning accolades by the dozen, they’ve got a Woodbridge location bearing the same name. A few sauces are made in-house, such as the Alabama Slamma, and their smoked wings come doused in their Signature BBQ sauce. Overall, the Hot Creamy Parm is their most popular sauce. It looks dangerously fattening but ain't nobody got time to count calories when you're at the best wing joint in Milton!

You may recognize the name from Toronto (it has locations in King West, Bayview, and Danforth) ... this low-key North Service Rd. resto serves up big flavour, especially in the wood-fired pizza department. Local ingredients are used. You'll definitely want to take in the grilled calamari and shrimp, served with tomatoes, olives and capers. The funghi pizza (with truffled honey -- it's phenomenal) is everything. The honey adds a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with fresh, meaty mushrooms. Quality can be tasted. Make sure you save room for dessert ... the Salted Caramel Budino is to die for. Pudding is topped with whipped cream and a delicious Amaretto cookie crumble. Yum!

There's good chicken and there's chicken that's tasty as cluck (that wasn't a typo). Brant St. is home to this fun, laidback resto ... you may recognize the name from Hamilton's original King St. W. location. Doors opened in March 2017 and locals are flocking to the place. Featuring lunch, dinner, and boozy weekend brunch, Coop Wicked Chicken offers fresh in-house food made with high-quality ingredients. Pulled sandwiches are popular … we went with the Smoky BBQ ($11.99). Shredded meat is doused in a tangy, tasty sauce and the coleslaw adds a nice crunch. Other offerings include Deep-Fried Deviled Eggs (fantastic!), Sriracha Honey Cauliflower (for the vegans in your life), Hardcore Pulled Chicken Poutine, and Chicken & Waffles topped with an egg — this was absolutely phenomenal. If you’re due for a cheat meal, there’s also a bacon grilled cheese with (wait for it) mac and cheese. (You’ll hate yourself after but you’ll also fall asleep pretty quick). The atmosphere is unpretentious and fun.

The dress code is casual, however, the food is anything but. The amazing Gnocchi is braised for 12 hours. While you’re there, try the Paradiso Burger, which tastes Incredible (hold up, grammar nerds — that’s an intentional capital ‘I’). Seasoned meat - a great combination of Angus beef and chorizo sausage - is unbelievably satisfying. The house-made patty is flavoured and tastes incredible as-is. One bite in, and I’m in burger paradise. This thick patty is topped with smoked cheddar, house-made ketchup and sweet pickles, smoked honey dijon mustard, then served with herb roasted mini red potatoes. Impressing Oakville diners for 20 years (there’s also a Burlington location on Pine St.) you’ve gotta make a reservation and get your burger on!

Because you can never have too much burrata. Fine dining just got a boost in Burlington. This new Italian place along Harvester Rd. is something special: the food is fabulous, service is great, and the atmosphere is downright summery. They're serving up sizzlin' steak, seafood, pizza and pasta (which isn't made in-house). The restaurant features fresh ingredients and traditions. Among the appetizers you’ll find Imported Burrata di Puglia, with basil and arugula pesto, blistered cherry tomatoes, and crumbled prosciutto. The beet salad and salmon are also worth ordering. The location will ring a bell -- it's the former Walkers Fish Market (with the same herringbone flooring). Popular dishes include mussels pomodoro, porchetta panino, and linguini carbonara. The Nantucket-style decor is the perfect place for a mini-escape while remaining in the city.

The 5 hottest restaurants in Halton for the week of June 23 to June 29 were based on the amount of organic page views and searches these restaurants received on inhalton.com